Primordial Era: From the Creation Lotus to the First Disciple of the Three Pure Ones

Chapter 64 Ao Guang Becomes a Disciple

"My benefactor! Immortal Qinglian!"

Upon seeing Qinglian from afar, Ao Guang's face instantly lit up with wild joy. He practically pounced on her, bowing deeply before her. "This little dragon sensed the fluctuations of the reverse scale and knew that my benefactor had arrived in the East Sea. I have come to welcome you! May my benefactor be blessed!"

Behind him, shrimp soldiers and crab generals stood in neat rows, and a clam maiden held a bright pearl in her hands. The grand procession fully demonstrated the Dragon Palace's high regard for Qinglian.

Qinglian smiled and helped Ao Guang up: "Your Highness, there's no need for such formalities. I was just passing through the East Sea and came to bother you."

"My benefactor, what are you saying! Your presence is more than enough to make my father and I overjoyed! Please come in! My father is already waiting for you in the palace!" Ao Guang was extremely enthusiastic and personally led the way.

Upon entering the magnificent, treasure-filled, and spiritually rich Crystal Palace of the East Sea Dragon Palace once again, the East Sea Dragon King Ao Yuan, along with his Turtle Prime Minister, Whale Marshal, and other important officials of the Dragon Palace, were already waiting in front of the main hall.

"Immortal Qinglian! Your presence is an honor to our humble abode! Please, please come in!"

Ao Yuanlong was overjoyed and quickly went to greet him, his attitude even more enthusiastic and friendly than last time.

His gaze swept over Sun Wuzhen, who stood beside Qinglian with a fierce aura and dazzling golden armor. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he also nodded with a smile.

After the guests and hosts were seated, celestial wine and spiritual fruits were served in an instant. Ao Yuan asked with concern, "May I ask what brings the Immortal to the East Sea? If there is anything the Dragon Palace can do for you, please give the order, and Ao Yuan will do his utmost!"

Qinglian took a sip of the Ice Soul Jade Liquid and smiled, "Your Majesty the Dragon King is too kind. I have no important business. I was just traveling around the prehistoric world with my unworthy disciple to broaden our horizons. When we arrived at the shore of the East Sea, I remembered that I had met Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince once, so I shamelessly came to bother you and let my disciple see the grandeur of the Dragon Palace."

Upon hearing this, Ao Yuan was even more delighted, clapping his hands and laughing, "So that's how it is! The presence of the Immortal is a great honor for our East Sea Dragon Palace! Young friend Wuzhen is exceptionally brave and talented, with outstanding potential; he is destined for greatness! Guards! Prepare a banquet! To welcome Immortal Qinglian and young friend Wuzhen!"

The grand banquet began again, even more extravagant than before. Dragon liver and phoenix marrow (alternatives), star fritillary bulb soup, and ancient coral marrow—all sorts of delicacies were served in a continuous stream, accompanied by celestial maidens dancing and mermaids singing, showcasing the utmost luxury of the Dragon Palace.

After a few rounds of drinks, Ao Yuan casually asked, "Immortal, I wonder—I wonder if the Jade Purity Saint is satisfied with the Nine Dragons Sandalwood Support?" His tone carried a hint of anticipation and trepidation. After all, it was a treasured possession of his dragon clan, and offering it up was merely to establish a good relationship.

Qinglian put down her wine cup and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. After returning to the mountain, I have already presented the precious vessel to my second master."

The two masters observed that this magnificent structure, imbued with the aura of sacred order, perfectly complemented their exposition of the laws of heaven. The dragon was greatly pleased and also expressed much praise for His Majesty and the dragon race's actions.

"Good! Good! Good!" Upon hearing this, Ao Yuan felt a great weight lifted from his heart, his face beaming with delight, and he drank three cups in succession.

"As long as the Sage is satisfied! This is a blessing for our Dragon Clan! Immortal, please drink this cup to the brim!"

The atmosphere at the banquet became even more lively.

Amidst the clinking of glasses, Ao Yuan looked down at his son Ao Guang, who was whispering with Sun Wuzhen and whose eyes were filled with reverence for Qinglian. He then looked at Qinglian, whose demeanor was becoming increasingly profound and whose fortune was abundant. A long-brewing idea resurfaced in his mind, growing stronger with each passing moment.

He suddenly beckoned to Ao Guang. Ao Guang quickly stepped forward: "Father."

Ao Yuan pulled Ao Guang to the center of the main hall and bowed deeply to Qing Lian!

Qinglian quickly stood up: "Your Majesty, what is the reason for this?"

Ao Yuan's expression was extremely solemn, and his tone was earnest: "Immortal! I have a request, and I hope you will grant it!"

"Your Majesty, please speak freely."

Ao Yuan pointed at Ao Guang and said sincerely, "My son Ao Guang is dull-witted, but he is kind-hearted and has the utmost respect for the immortal!"

His life was saved by the immortal, a debt of gratitude he can never repay! I, the humble king, humbly beg the immortal to accept Ao Guang as a disciple, to keep him by my side, even as a nominal one, to serve him and receive his teachings. This would be an immense blessing for my son, and an unparalleled glory for our East Sea Dragon Clan!

Upon hearing this, Ao Guang immediately knelt down with a thud, kowtowing heavily to Qinglian, his voice filled with excitement and piety: "Benefactor! Master! I, Ao Guang, sincerely wish to become your disciple, to serve you day and night, and to seek the truth! I humbly beg you to accept me!"

He had witnessed Qinglian's extraordinary abilities and was deeply grateful for her saving his life. He longed for the primordial land and had long desired to become her disciple.

Qinglian looked at Ao Guang kneeling before her, then at Ao Yuan with a sincere expression, and her heart stirred slightly.

As the crown prince of the Dragon Clan, Ao Guang possessed extraordinary background and his temperament had matured considerably after the previous ordeal. Moreover, he had a karmic connection with me in saving his life, making it suitable to take him under my wing. In this way, my relationship with the Dragon Clan would become even closer.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Crown Prince Ao Guang, please rise. Since both His Majesty and the Crown Prince have this intention, and the Crown Prince is also destined to be with me, I will accept you as my second disciple."

"Thank you, Master! Disciple Ao Guang pays respects to Master!" Overjoyed, Ao Guang's voice trembled with excitement as he performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows before Qing Lian, formally becoming her disciple!

"Haha! Good! Good! Good!" Ao Yuan was overjoyed, his dragon whiskers trembling. "Prime Minister Turtle! Quickly go to the treasure vault and retrieve the Four Symbols Pearl! Present it to the Immortal as Guang'er's apprenticeship gift!"

The Prime Minister Gui hurriedly accepted the order and left. A short while later, he returned carrying a sandalwood box. Upon opening the box, the hall was instantly filled with brilliant light!

The phantom images of four mythical beasts—dragon's roar, tiger's howl, phoenix's cry, and tortoise's roar—appeared alternately!

Inside the box lay a fist-sized, perfectly round pearl, containing the essence of the four elements—earth, water, fire, and wind—and constantly evolving the phenomena of their birth and death! The pearl shimmered with light, radiating the powerful Daoist aura and oppressive force unique to innate spiritual treasures!

"Immortal, this is the Four Symbols Pearl!"

Ao Yuan introduced it with pride, "It is an innate spiritual treasure passed down from the ancient times of my dragon clan! Although it is not top-level, it can mobilize the power of the four elements of earth, water, fire and wind, combining offense and defense. It can also set up the Four Elements Formation to trap and kill powerful enemies!"

Even within the treasure trove of our Dragon Clan, this is of the highest quality! This humble gift is but a token of my sincere gratitude; I earnestly hope the Immortal will accept it with a smile!

Qinglian looked at the Four Symbols Beads, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

This treasure is indeed extraordinary, containing extremely pure power of the four elements, and its power is probably close to that of a top-grade innate spiritual treasure.

The dragon race's foundation is indeed profound. He did not refuse, accepted the wooden box, and nodded, saying, "Your Majesty's gift is generous; this humble Taoist will accept it. Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Of course! Of course!" Ao Yuan grinned from ear to ear.

Having completed the apprenticeship ceremony, Ao Guang immediately ran to Sun Wuzhen and respectfully bowed, saying, "Ao Guang greets Senior Brother!"

Sun Wuzhen, always impulsive and unrestrained, was delighted to see the Dragon Prince become his junior brother. He grinned and patted Ao Guang on the shoulder: "Hehe, no problem! From now on, follow your senior brother, and I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury—uh, I mean, you'll achieve immortality!"

Two boys (dragons) of similar age (relative to the prehistoric era) and with somewhat unruly personalities quickly became acquainted. They huddled together and whispered to each other, exchanging their cultivation experiences (mainly Sun Wuzhen boasting about his combat experiences).

Qinglian and Ao Yuan exchanged a smile.

Master Qinglian and his disciples lingered in the Dragon Palace for several more days.

During this time, Qinglian tested Ao Guang's cultivation and taught him some basic Qi-refining methods and Kunlun Dao rules.

Sun Wuzhen then took his new junior brother on a tour of the Dragon Palace, where they would spar from time to time (of course, it was all Sun Wuzhen's "guidance"), and their relationship grew stronger.

A few days later, Qinglian felt the time was right and bid farewell to Ao Yuan.

"Your Majesty, we must continue our travels, so we will take our leave now."

Although Ao Yuan was reluctant to part with him, he knew that cultivators could not be confined to one place for long, so he solemnly said, "Take care, Immortal! Guang'er, while you are by your master's side, you must diligently cultivate, obey your master's orders, and not slack off!"

"Father, rest assured! Your humble servant will certainly live up to the expectations of Master and Father!" Ao Guang changed into casual clothes, shedding the splendor of the Dragon Palace Crown Prince, his eyes filled with longing and determination for the prehistoric world.

Qinglian nodded slightly to Ao Yuan, then with a flick of her sleeve, a beam of clear light enveloped Sun Wuzhen and Ao Guang, instantly taking them out of the Crystal Palace and disappearing into the vast sea.

Ao Yuan stood alone outside the palace gate, gazing in the direction where Qinglian and her disciples had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time. The Turtle Prime Minister cautiously approached: "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince—"

Ao Yuan slowly raised his hand, interrupting the Turtle Prime Minister's words. In his deep dragon eyes, there flickered a complex and indescribable light, a reluctance and worry for his son, but even more so, a flame called "hope" that had been suppressed for countless eons.

Since the Dragon-Han Calamity, the Dragon Clan has been confined to the four seas, barely surviving. Although they have a foundation, they lack fortune and have no future.

Clinging to the demon race? It's neither his wish nor a long-term solution. And now, Guang'er has become a disciple of the first disciple of the Three Pure Ones of Kunlun, a grand-disciple of the Dao Ancestor! What does this mean?

This means that the Dragon Clan might—perhaps—be able to establish a connection with the future Heavenly Saint through this line! Perhaps they can find a new glimmer of hope amidst this catastrophic calamity! Or even—regain some of their ancient glory!

Ao Guang's talent is not top-notch, but his identity, his karmic connection with Qinglian, and his current opportunity may become a fulcrum to leverage the fate of the dragon race!

"Guang'er—" Ao Yuan murmured softly, the sea breeze ruffling the tassels on his imperial robes, "Your opportunity has arrived—perhaps—you really can bring about some different changes for my dragon race—even if—just a glimmer of light—"

His voice dissipated in the sea breeze, filled with endless anticipation and the humble yearning of an ancient race for revival.

At this moment, Qinglian, along with her newly recruited dragon disciples and the Monkey King's disciple who fought against heaven and earth, embarked on an even more magnificent journey through the primordial world.

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